Systems and methods for managing glycemic variability

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for processing analyte data. In some example implementations, a method may include generating glucose sensor data indicative of a host&#39;s glucose concentration using a glucose sensor; calculating a glycemic variability index (GVI) value based on the glucose sensor data; and providing output to a user responsive to the calculated glycemic variability index value. The GVI may be a ratio of a length of a line representative of the sensor data and an ideal length of the line. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Any and all priority claims identified in the Application Data Sheet, orany correction thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37CFR 1.57. This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/065,847, filed Oct. 29, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/790,281, filed on Mar. 8, 2013, now abandoned,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/723,642,filed on Nov. 7, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in its entirety and is hereby expressly made aportion of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to data processing of glucosedata of a host.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the pancreas cannot createsufficient insulin, such as in the case of Type I diabetes and/or inwhich insulin is not effective, such as Type 2 diabetes. In a diabeticstate, a victim suffers from high blood sugar, which causes an array ofphysiological derangements, such as kidney failure, skin ulcers, orbleeding into the vitreous of the eye, associated with the deteriorationof small blood vessels. A hypoglycemic reaction, such as low bloodsugar, may be induced by an inadvertent overdose of insulin, or after anormal dose of insulin or glucose-lowering agent accompanied byextraordinary exercise or insufficient food intake.

A diabetic person may carry a self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG)monitor, which typically requires uncomfortable finger pricking methods.Due to the lack of comfort and convenience, a diabetic typicallymeasures his or her glucose level only two to four times per day.Unfortunately, these time intervals are spread so far apart that thediabetic will likely find out too late, sometimes incurring dangerousside effects, of a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic condition. In fact, itis not only unlikely that a diabetic will take a timely SMBG value, butadditionally the diabetic will not know if his blood glucose value ishigher or lower based on conventional methods.

Consequently, a variety of non-invasive, transdermal (e.g.,transcutaneous) and/or implantable electrochemical sensors are beingdeveloped for continuously detecting and/or quantifying blood glucosevalues. These devices and other types of devices generally transmit rawor minimally processed data for subsequent analysis at a remote device,which can include a display, to allow presentation of information to auser hosting the sensor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments and implementations of the present systems andmethods have several features, no single one of which is solelyresponsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scopeof the present embodiments and implementations as expressed by theclaims that follow, their more prominent features now will be discussedbriefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly afterreading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understandhow the features of the present embodiments provide the advantagesdescribed herein.

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are providedfor processing analyte data. In a first aspect, a computer-implementedmethod is provided. The method comprises generating glucose sensor dataindicative of a host's glucose concentration using a glucose sensor;calculating a glycemic variability index (GVI) value based on theglucose sensor data; and providing output to a user responsive to thecalculated glycemic variability index value.

In an implementation of the first aspect, which is generally applicable,particularly with any other implementation of the first aspect, the GVIis defined as GVI=L/Lo, wherein L is a length of a line representativeof the host's glucose concentration over a period of time and Lo is anideal line length for the given period of time.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the first aspect further comprises calculating a PatientGlycemic Status (PGS), wherein PGS is defined asPGS=GVI*MG*(1−PTIR)+Penalty, wherein MG is a mean glucose value of thesensor data, PTIR is a percentage of time the sensor data is within apredefined range of glucose concentration values, and the Penalty is anon-linear hyperbolic function that asymptotes with a predeterminednumber of determined episodes of severe hypoglycemia within apredetermined amount of time. The predefined range of glucoseconcentration values can be between about 80 mg/dL and about 180 mg/dL.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the providing output is responsive to the GVI calculation andthe PSG calculation.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the providing output comprises generating a report to a user,wherein the report includes a calculated GVI numerical value.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the providing output comprises triggering an alert to a userwhen the GVI exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the alert is oneor more of an audible alert, visual alert and tactile alert.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the calculating is automatically performed periodically on adefined window of time of sensor data.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the calculating comprising calculating a plurality of GVI valuesbased on the sensor data, wherein each of the GVI values is based on adifferent period of time of the sensor data.

In another implementation of the first aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the firstaspect, the method is performed by a processor executing code embodiedin a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

In a second aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includingcode which when executed by at least one processor provides operationsis provided. The operations comprise: providing a scoring map thatcoverts glucose values to a clinical relevance score; converting glucosevalues generated using a continuous glucose sensor from units of glucoseconcentration to clinical relevance scores using the scoring map;applying a statistical algorithm to the clinical relevance scores togenerate a processed clinical relevance score; and outputtinginformation based on the processed clinical relevance score to a userinterface of an electronic device.

In an implementation of the second aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the secondaspect, the scoring map is embodied as one or more mathematicalequations.

In another implementation of the second aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the secondaspect, the scoring map comprises an above target coordinate space and abelow target coordinate space.

In another implementation of the second aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the secondaspect, the scale of the clinical relevance score is linear and thescale of the glucose concentration is non-linear.

In another implementation of the second aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the secondaspect, the statistical algorithm comprises one or more of a sum, mean,average and standard deviation of the clinical relevance scores.

In another implementation of the second aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the secondaspect, the outputted information comprises one or more of a numericalclinical relevance score and a graph of the clinical relevance scoresover time.

In a third aspect, a system is provided. The system comprises: at leastone processor; at least one memory including code which when executed bythe at least one processor provides operations comprising analyzingglucose data generated by a continuous glucose sensor over a timeperiod, identifying an event based on the analyzing, and outputtinginformation to a user via a user interface of the system, theinformation based on the identified event.

In another implementation of the third aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the thirdaspect, the event is a missed meal event, and wherein the informationincludes a prompt for a user to enter meal information.

In another implementation of the third aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the thirdaspect, the event is a missed insulin administration event, and whereinthe identifying includes monitoring whether a rate of change of thehost's measured glucose levels exceeds a threshold for a predeterminedperiod of time.

In another implementation of the third aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the thirdaspect, the information comprises an indication of glucose controlassociated with the wear of an insulin infusion pump.

In another implementation of the third aspect, which is generallyapplicable, particularly with any other implementation of the thirdaspect, the information comprises a message indicating a percentage ofmeasured glucose values falling within a target range over apredetermined time period.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram illustrating a continuous analyte sensor systemincluding a sensor electronics module in accordance with some exemplaryimplementations;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating the sensor electronicsmodule in accordance with some exemplary implementations;

FIG. 3 is a graph of glucose concentration data plotted over severaldays indicative of poor glucose control in accordance with someexemplary implementations;

FIG. 4 is a graph of glucose concentration data plotted over severaldays indicative of improving glucose control in accordance with someexemplary implementations;

FIGS. 5A-5C are a graphs of glucose concentration data plotted overseveral days indicative of different levels of glucose control andassociated Glucose Variability Index scores in accordance with someexemplary implementations;

FIG. 6 is a graphs of glucose concentration data plotted over severaldays indicative of different levels of glucose control and associatedGlucose Variability Index scores and Patient Glycemic Status scores inaccordance with some exemplary implementations;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a glycemic variability management process inaccordance with some implementations;

FIG. 8 is a graph of a combined Clinical Relevance score over time and anumerical combined Clinical Relevance score value in accordance withsome implementations;

FIG. 9 is a graph of a composite high/low Clinical Relevance scores overtime and numerical composite high/low Clinical Relevance score values inaccordance with some implementations;

Like labels are used to refer to same or similar items in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an example system 100, in accordance with some exemplaryimplementations. The system 100 includes a continuous analyte sensorsystem 8 including a sensor electronics module 12 and a continuousanalyte sensor 10. The system 100 may include other devices and/orsensors, such as medicament delivery pump 2 and glucose meter 4. Thecontinuous analyte sensor 10 may be physically connected to sensorelectronics module 12 and may be integral with (e.g., non-releasablyattached to) or releasably attachable to the continuous analyte sensor10. The sensor electronics module 12, medicament delivery pump 2, and/orglucose meter 4 may couple with one or more devices, such as displaydevices 14, 16, 18, and/or 20.

In some exemplary implementations, the system 100 may include acloud-based analyte processor 490 configured to analyze analyte data(and/or other patient related data) provided via network 406 (e.g., viawired, wireless, or a combination thereof) from sensor system 8 andother devices, such as display devices 14-20 and the like, associatedwith the host (also referred to as a patient) and generate reportsproviding high-level information, such as statistics, regarding themeasured analyte over a certain time frame. Although the exampleimplementation described with respect to FIG. 1 refers to analyte databeing received by analyte processor 490, other types of data processedand raw data may be received as well.

In some exemplary implementations, the sensor electronics module 12 mayinclude electronic circuitry associated with measuring and processingdata generated by the continuous analyte sensor 10. This generatedcontinuous analyte sensor data may also include algorithms, which can beused to process and calibrate the continuous analyte sensor data,although these algorithms may be provided in other ways as well. Thesensor electronics module 12 may include hardware, firmware, software,or a combination thereof to provide measurement of levels of the analytevia a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. Anexample implementation of the sensor electronics module 12 is describedfurther below with respect to FIG. 2 .

The sensor electronics module 12 may, as noted, couple (e.g., wirelesslyand the like) with one or more devices, such as display devices 14, 16,18, and/or 20. The display devices 14, 16, 18, and/or 20 may beconfigured for presenting (and/or alarming) information, such as sensorinformation transmitted by the sensor electronics module 12 for displayat the display devices 14, 16, 18, and/or 20.

The display devices may include a relatively small, key fob-like displaydevice 14, a relatively large, hand-held display device 16, a smartphone or tablet computing device 18, a computer workstation 20, and/orany other user equipment configured to at least present information(e.g., a medicament delivery information, discrete self-monitoringglucose readings, heart rate monitor, caloric intake monitor, and thelike).

In some exemplary implementations, the relatively small, key fob-likedisplay device 14 may comprise a wrist watch, a belt, a necklace, apendent, a piece of jewelry, an adhesive patch, a pager, a key fob, aplastic card (e.g., credit card), an identification (ID) card, and/orthe like. This small display device 14 may include a relatively smalldisplay (e.g., smaller than the large display device) and may beconfigured to display certain types of displayable sensor information,such as a numerical value and an arrow.

In some exemplary implementations, the continuous analyte sensor 10comprises a sensor for detecting and/or measuring analytes, and thecontinuous analyte sensor 10 may be configured to continuously detectand/or measure analytes as a non-invasive device, a subcutaneous device,a transdermal device, and/or an intravascular device. In some exemplaryimplementations, the continuous analyte sensor 10 may analyze aplurality of intermittent blood samples, although other analytes may beused as well.

In some exemplary implementations, the continuous analyte sensor 10 maycomprise a glucose sensor configured to measure glucose in the bloodusing one or more measurement techniques, such as enzymatic, chemical,physical, electrochemical, spectrophotometric, polarimetric,calorimetric, iontophoretic, radiometric, immunochemical, and the like.In implementations in which the continuous analyte sensor 10 includes aglucose sensor, the glucose sensor may be comprise any device capable ofmeasuring the concentration of glucose and may use a variety oftechniques to measure glucose including invasive, minimally invasive,and non-invasive sensing techniques (e.g., fluorescent monitoring), toprovide a data, such as a data stream, indicative of the concentrationof glucose in a host. The data stream may be raw data signal, which isconverted into a calibrated and/or filtered data stream used to providea value of glucose to a host, such as a user, a patient, or a caretaker(e.g., a parent, a relative, a guardian, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse,or any other individual that has an interest in the wellbeing of thehost). Moreover, the continuous analyte sensor 10 may be implanted as atleast one of the following types of sensors: an implantable glucosesensor, a transcutaneous glucose sensor, implanted in a host vessel orextracorporeally, a subcutaneous sensor, a refillable subcutaneoussensor, an intravascular sensor.

In some implementations, the system 100 includes a DexCom G4® Platinumcontinuous analyte monitor commercially available from DexCom, Inc., forcontinuously monitoring a host's glucose levels.

Although the description herein refers to some implementations thatinclude a continuous analyte sensor 10 comprising a glucose sensor, thecontinuous analyte sensor 10 may comprises other types of analytesensors as well. Moreover, although some implementations refer to theglucose sensor as an implantable glucose sensor, other types of devicescapable of detecting a concentration of glucose and providing an outputsignal representative of glucose concentration may be used as well.Furthermore, although the description herein refers to glucose as theanalyte being measured, processed, and the like, other analytes may beused as well including, for example, ketone bodies (e.g., acetone,acetoacetic acid and beta hydroxybutyric acid, lactate, etc.), glucagon,Acetyl Co A, triglycerides, fatty acids, intermediaries in the citricacid cycle, choline, insulin, cortisol, testosterone, and the like.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a sensor electronics module 12, inaccordance with some exemplary implementations. The sensor electronicsmodule 12 may include sensor electronics that are configured to processsensor information, such as sensor data, and generate transformed sensordata and displayable sensor information. For example, the sensorelectronics module may transform sensor data into one or more of thefollowing: filtered sensor data (e.g., one or more filtered analyteconcentration values), raw sensor data, calibrated sensor data (e.g.,one or more calibrated analyte concentration values), rate of changeinformation, trend information, rate of acceleration information, sensordiagnostic information, location information (which may be provided by alocation module 269 providing location information, such as globalpositioning system information), alarm/alert information, calibrationinformation, smoothing and/or filtering algorithms of sensor data,and/or the like.

In some exemplary implementations, the sensor electronics module 12 maybe configured to calibrate the sensor data, and the data storage memory220 may store the calibrated sensor data points as transformed sensordata. Moreover, the sensor electronics module 12 may be configured, insome exemplary implementations, to wirelessly receive calibrationinformation from a display device, such as devices 14, 16, 18, and/or20, to enable calibration of the sensor data from sensor 12 and dataline 212. Furthermore, the sensor electronics module 12 may beconfigured to perform additional algorithmic processing on the sensordata (e.g., calibrated and/or filtered data and/or other sensorinformation), and the data storage memory 220 may be configured to storethe transformed sensor data and/or sensor diagnostic informationassociated with the algorithms.

In some exemplary implementations, the sensor electronics module 12 maycomprise an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 205 coupledto a user interface 122. The ASIC 205 may further include a potentiostat210, a telemetry module 232 for transmitting data from the sensorelectronics module 12 to one or more devices, such devices 14, 16, 18,and/or 20, and/or other components for signal processing and datastorage (e.g., processor module 214 and data store 220). Although FIG. 2depicts ASIC 205, other types of circuitry may be used as well,including field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or moremicroprocessors configured to provide some (if not all of) theprocessing performed by the sensor electronics module 12, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, or a combination thereof.

In the example depicted at FIG. 2 , the potentiostat 210 is coupled to acontinuous analyte sensor 10, such as a glucose sensor, via data line212 to receive sensor data from the analyte. The potentiostat 210 mayalso provide via data line 212 a voltage to the continuous analytesensor 10 to bias the sensor for measurement of a value (e.g., a currentand the like) indicative of the analyte concentration in a host (alsoreferred to as the analog portion of the sensor). The potentiostat 210may have one or more channels (and corresponding one or more data lines212), depending on the number of working electrodes at the continuousanalyte sensor 10.

In some exemplary implementations, the potentiostat 210 may include aresistor that translates a current value from the sensor 10 into avoltage value, while in some exemplary implementations, acurrent-to-frequency converter may also be configured to integratecontinuously a measured current value from the sensor 10 using, forexample, a charge-counting device. In some exemplary implementations, ananalog-to-digital converter may digitize the analog signal from thesensor 10 into so-called “counts” to allow processing by the processormodule 214. The resulting counts may be directly related to the currentmeasured by the potentiostat 210, which may be directly related to ananalyte level, such as a glucose level, in the host.

The telemetry module 232 may be operably connected to processor module214 and may provide the hardware, firmware, and/or software that enablewireless communication between the sensor electronics module 12 and oneor more other devices, such as display devices, processors, networkaccess devices, and the like. A variety of wireless radio technologiesthat can be implemented in the telemetry module 232 include Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low-Energy, the ANT protocol, NFC (near field communications),ZigBee, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, cellular radio access technologies,radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), paging network communication,magnetic induction, satellite data communication, spread spectrumcommunication, frequency hopping communication, near fieldcommunications, and/or the like. In some exemplary implementations, thetelemetry module 232 comprises a Bluetooth chip, although the Bluetoothtechnology may also be implemented in a combination of the telemetrymodule 232 and the processor module 214.

The processor module 214 may control the processing performed by thesensor electronics module 12. For example, the processor module 214 maybe configured to process data (e.g., counts), from the sensor, filterthe data, calibrate the data, perform fail-safe checking, and/or thelike.

In some exemplary implementations, the processor module 214 may comprisea digital filter, such as for example an infinite impulse response (IIR)or a finite impulse response (FIR) filter. This digital filter maysmooth a raw data stream received from sensor 10, data line 212 andpotentiostat 210 (e.g., after the analog-to-digital conversion of thesensor data). Generally, digital filters are programmed to filter datasampled at a predetermined time interval (also referred to as a samplerate). In some exemplary implementations, such as when the potentiostat210 is configured to measure the analyte (e.g., glucose and the like) atdiscrete time intervals, these time intervals determine the samplingrate of the digital filter. In some exemplary implementations, thepotentiostat 210 is configured to measure continuously the analyte, forexample, using a current-to-frequency converter. In thesecurrent-to-frequency converter implementations, the processor module 214may be programmed to request, at predetermined time intervals(acquisition time), digital values from the integrator of thecurrent-to-frequency converter. These digital values obtained by theprocessor module 214 from the integrator may be averaged over theacquisition time due to the continuity of the current measurement. Assuch, the acquisition time may be determined by the sampling rate of thedigital filter.

The processor module 214 may further include a data generator configuredto generate data packages for transmission to devices, such as thedisplay devices 14, 16, 18, and/or 20. Furthermore, the processor module215 may generate data packets for transmission to these outside sourcesvia telemetry module 232. In some exemplary implementations, the datapackages may, as noted, be customizable for each display device, and/ormay include any available data, such as a time stamp, displayable sensorinformation, transformed sensor data, an identifier code for the sensorand/or sensor electronics module, raw data, filtered data, calibrateddata, rate of change information, trend information, error detection orcorrection, and/or the like.

The processor module 214 may also include a program memory 216 and othermemory 218. The processor module 214 may be coupled to a communicationsinterface, such as a communication port 238, and a source of power, suchas a battery 234. Moreover, the battery 234 may be further coupled to abattery charger and/or regulator 236 to provide power to sensorelectronics module 12 and/or charge the batteries 234.

The program memory 216 may be implemented as a semi-static memory forstoring data, such as an identifier for a coupled sensor 10 (e.g., asensor identifier (ID)) and for storing code (also referred to asprogram code) to configure the ASIC 205 to perform one or more of theoperations/functions described herein. For example, the program code mayconfigure processor module 214 to process data streams or counts,filter, calibrate, perform fail-safe checking, and the like.

The memory 218 may also be used to store information. For example, theprocessor module 214 including memory 218 may be used as the system'scache memory, where temporary storage is provided for recent sensor datareceived from data line 212 and potentiostat 210. In some exemplaryimplementations, the memory may comprise memory storage components, suchas read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), dynamic-RAM,static-RAM, non-static RAM, easily erasable programmable read onlymemory (EEPROM), rewritable ROMs, flash memory, and the like.

The data storage memory 220 may be coupled to the processor module 214and may be configured to store a variety of sensor information. In someexemplary implementations, the data storage memory 220 stores one ormore days of continuous analyte sensor data. For example, the datastorage memory may store 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,20, and/or 30 (or more days) of continuous analyte sensor data receivedfrom sensor 10 via data line 212. The stored sensor information mayinclude one or more of the following: a time stamp, raw sensor data (oneor more raw analyte concentration values), calibrated data, filtereddata, transformed sensor data, and/or any other displayable sensorinformation.

The user interface 222 may include a variety of interfaces, such as oneor more buttons 224, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 226, a vibrator 228,an audio transducer (e.g., speaker) 230, a backlight, and/or the like.The components that comprise the user interface 222 may provide controlsto interact with the user (e.g., the host). One or more buttons 224 mayallow, for example, toggle, menu selection, option selection, statusselection, yes/no response to on-screen questions, a “turn off” function(e.g., for an alarm), a “snooze” function (e.g., for an alarm), a reset,and/or the like. The LCD 226 may provide the user with, for example,visual data output. The audio transducer 230 (e.g., speaker) may provideaudible signals in response to triggering of certain alerts, such aspresent and/or predicted hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic conditions. Insome exemplary implementations, audible signals may be differentiated bytone, volume, duty cycle, pattern, duration, and/or the like. In someexemplary implementations, the audible signal may be configured to besilenced (e.g., snoozed or turned off) by pressing one or more buttons224 on the sensor electronics module and/or by signaling the sensorelectronics module using a button or selection on a display device(e.g., key fob, cell phone, and/or the like).

Although audio and vibratory alarms are described with respect to FIG. 2, other alarming mechanisms may be used as well. For example, in someexemplary implementations, a tactile alarm is provided including apoking mechanism configured to “poke” the patient in response to one ormore alarm conditions.

The battery 234 may be operatively connected to the processor module 214(and possibly other components of the sensor electronics module 12) andprovide the necessary power for the sensor electronics module 12. Insome exemplary implementations, the battery is a Lithium ManganeseDioxide battery, however any appropriately sized and powered battery canbe used (e.g., AAA, Nickel-cadmium, Zinc-carbon, Alkaline, Lithium,Nickel-metal hydride, Lithium-ion, Zinc-air, Zinc-mercury oxide,Silver-zinc, or hermetically-sealed). In some exemplary implementations,the battery is rechargeable. In some exemplary implementations, aplurality of batteries can be used to power the system. In yet otherimplementations, the receiver can be transcutaneously powered via aninductive coupling, for example.

A battery charger and/or regulator 236 may be configured to receiveenergy from an internal and/or external charger. In some exemplaryimplementations, a battery regulator (or balancer) 236 regulates therecharging process by bleeding off excess charge current to allow allcells or batteries in the sensor electronics module to be fully chargedwithout overcharging other cells or batteries. In some exemplaryimplementations, the battery 234 (or batteries) is configured to becharged via an inductive and/or wireless charging pad, although anyother charging and/or power mechanism may be used as well.

One or more communication ports 238, also referred to as externalconnector(s), may be provided to allow communication with other devices,for example a personal computer (PC) communication (com) port can beprovided to enable communication with systems that are separate from, orintegral with, the sensor electronics module. The communication port,for example, may comprise a serial (e.g., universal serial bus or “USB”)communication port, to communicate with another computer system (e.g.,PC, personal digital assistant or “PDA,” server, or the like). Thecommunication port may also be coupled to a wireless transceiver toallow wireless communications as well. In some exemplaryimplementations, the sensor electronics module 12 is able to transmithistorical data to a PC or other computing device (e.g., an analyteprocessor as disclosed herein) for retrospective analysis by a patientand/or physician.

In some continuous analyte sensor systems, an on-skin portion of thesensor electronics may be simplified to minimize complexity and/or sizeof on-skin electronics, for example, providing only raw, calibrated,and/or filtered data to a display device configured to run calibrationand other algorithms required for displaying the sensor data. However,the sensor electronics module 12 may be implemented to executeprospective algorithms used to generate transformed sensor data and/ordisplayable sensor information, including, for example, algorithms that:evaluate a clinical acceptability of reference and/or sensor data,evaluate calibration data for best calibration based on inclusioncriteria, evaluate a quality of the calibration, compare estimatedanalyte values with time corresponding measured analyte values, analyzea variation of estimated analyte values, evaluate a stability of thesensor and/or sensor data, detect signal artifacts (noise), replacesignal artifacts, determine a rate of change and/or trend of the sensordata, perform dynamic and intelligent analyte value estimation, performdiagnostics on the sensor and/or sensor data, set modes of operation,evaluate the data for aberrancies, and/or the like.

Although separate data storage and program memories are shown in FIG. 2, a variety of configurations may be used as well. For example, one ormore memories may be used to provide storage space to support dataprocessing and storage requirements at sensor electronic module 12.

Some implementations evaluate a host's glycemic variability over timeand provide output responsive to the evaluation. Variability of a host'sglucose concentration is recognized as a risk factor for long-termcomplications and a factor for severe hypoglycemia. Further, glycemicvariability has been associated with physical and emotional distress.FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating glucose readings of a user that isbelieved to be exhibiting high glucose variability, as it can be seenfrom the graph that the user's glucose levels are rapidly swingingbetween high and low glucose levels.

It is believed that a user that can continuously monitor his or herglucose levels can reduce glycemic variability. FIG. 4 is a graph of aglucose concentration of a user as measured using the DexCom STS®continuous glucose monitoring system over six days. The DexCom STS®continuous glucose monitoring system is commercially available fromDexCom, Inc. FIG. 4 illustrates that this user's glucose concentrationvaried significantly more over the first three days than the followingthree days. It is believed that the reduction in glucose variability isdue to the user being able to monitor his or her glucose concentrationin real time using the DexCom STS system, thereby being able to moreeffectively manage his or her condition.

Glycemic Variability Index

In some implementations, a computing system, such as any of thecomputing systems described herein, calculates a Glycemic VariabilityIndex (GVI) and processes data and/or provides output responsive to theGVI. The GVI can be a useful representation of the user's glucosevariability over time and can consist of one or more numerical values.

In some implementations, the GVI is determined based on the length of aline or distance traveled of a host's glucose concentration over adefined period of time. That is, the GVI can be indicative of the lengthof the line representing the host's glucose concentration as plotted ona chart over a defined period of time. In some implementations, thelength of the line may then be normalized for the defined period of timeto provide a numerical value representative of the host's GVI. Thefollowing equation (1) can be used to represent the GVI:GVI=L/L _(o)  (1)where L is the length of the line of the user's glucose concentrationover a defined duration of time and L_(o) is an ideal length of line forthe given duration.

As a non-limiting example illustrating how a GVI can be implementedusing the above GVI methodology, a GVI of 1.0 can indicate novariability (is a flat line), a GVI between the range of about 1.0 and1.2 can indicate a low variability (likely a non-diabetic), a GVIbetween the range of about 1.2 and 1.5 can indicate a modestvariability, and a GVI greater than 1.5 can indicate a high glycemicvariability.

For non-limiting illustrative purposes, FIGS. 5A-5C are graphs ofdifferent glucose concentrations of a host measured by a continuousglucose monitoring system and the associated GVI score calculated usingequation (1). FIG. 5A illustrates what is believed to be a very lowglycemic variability, FIG. 5B illustrates what is believed to be a lowglycemic variability and FIG. 5C illustrates what is believed to be ahigh glycemic variability.

In some implementations, the length of the line of the user's glucoseconcentration can be calculated using known mathematical geometrical ortopographical methods. For example, in some implementations the lengthof the line is calculated by summing small sections of the line of theuser's glucose concentration falling within the defined duration oftime. In some implementations, this operation can be performed using acomputer spreadsheet application, such as Excel® commercially availableby Microsoft Corp.

Patient Glycemic Status

Additional indexes may be calculated based on GVI, as well. For example,some implementations calculate a Patient Glycemic Status (PGS) based onthe product of the GVI, the patient's mean glucose concentration, andone minus the percentage time the host was in range during the definedperiod of time. Accordingly, the following equation (2) can be used:PGS=GVI×MG×(1−PTIR)  (2)where MG is the mean glucose and PTIR is the percentage of time “inrange.” In range can be defined as a range of glucose values betweenwhich is believed to be acceptable glucose levels for the user. Thisrange can be preset or it can be user-configured. In one implementation,in range is defined as glucose levels falling between 88 and 120 mg/dL.It is believed that the PGS can provide a good indication of a host'soverall glycemic status over the defined period of time.

As a non-limiting example illustrating how a PGS can be implementedusing the equation (2), a PGS less than about 30 can indicate excellentglycemic status (likely a non-diabetic), a PGS between the range ofabout 30 and 80 can indicate a good glycemic status, a PGS between therange of about 80 and 130 can indicate a poor glycemic status, and a PGSgreater than 130 can indicate a very poor glycemic status.

While calculating PGS using equation (2) is believed to be adequate inmany situations, it is believed that additionally adding a non-linearhypoglycemic penalty to equation (2) can help identify situations inwhich a user suffers from frequent hypoglycemic episodes. Accordingly,equation (3) can be used to calculate PGS in some implementations:PGS=GVI×MG×(1−PTIR)+Penalty  (3)where the Penalty of equation (3) is a non-linear hyperbolic functionthat asymptotes with 5 to 7 episodes of severe hypoglycemia a week.Sever hypoglycemia can be defined using a glucose level threshold and/ora glucose level threshold and a time the user's glucose concentrationspends below a glucose level threshold.

The Penalty of equation (3) can effectively double the threshold PGSvalues described above with respect to equation (2). Accordingly, usingequation (3), a PGS less than about 60 can indicate excellent glycemicstatus (likely a non-diabetic), a PGS between the range of about 60 and160 can indicate a good glycemic status, a PGS between the range ofabout 160 and 260 can indicate a poor glycemic status, and a PGS greaterthan 260 can indicate a very poor glycemic status.

In some implementations, one or both of GVI and PGS can be used toidentify problems in glycemic control. A computer system can be used toautomatically identify problems by comparing the GVI and/or PGS to oneor more predetermined thresholds and triggering an alert responsivethereto. Further, a computer system can generate a report that indicatesone or both of the GVI and PGS. The report can be viewed by the host,caretaker and/or a healthcare professional to identify problems andsuggest modifications to the host's management routine to improvemanaging his or her condition.

To illustrate, FIG. 6 is a graph of a user's glucose concentration overtime with an indication of GVI and PGS (PGS calculated using equation(2)) for each three sections of data. The three sections illustratedifferent GVI and PGS scores and the associated sensor data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of glycemic variability management process 700 inaccordance with some implementations. Process 700 may be implementedusing system 100 of FIG. 1 . Further, instructions for implementingprocess 700 may be embodied as computer code stored in computer memoryand executed by one or more processors of the system 100 of FIG. 1 .

Further to FIG. 7 , process 700 monitors a host's glucose concentrationat block 710. Any of the glucose monitoring devices and systemsdescribed herein can be used to monitor the host's glucoseconcentration, such as the DexCom G4 ® Platinum continuous glucosemonitoring system. Sensor electronics module 8 and/or display device 14,16, 18, 20 can receive the sensor data generated by the sensor andprocess and store the sensor data. Further, the sensor data can betransmitted to cloud-based processor 490 via network for processingusing process 700.

At block 720, process 700 determines a GVI and/or PGS score based on thesensor data. The GVI and PGS scores can be calculated using any of themethodologies described herein. Further, because the GVI and PGS scorescan be calculated over a defined period of time in some implementations,a user may select the defined period of time using a user interface ofone of devices 14, 16, 18, 20 of FIG. 1 for which the GVI and PGS scoresare calculated, for example. The defined period of time can be threedays, one week or one month, for example.

At block 730, process 700 provides output responsive to the GVI and/orPGS score determination. The output can be a report displayed on a userinterface or printed using a printer. The report can include anindication of the GVI and/or PGS as a numerical value or using agraphic, such as a bar graph, arrow, and the like. The output canadditionally or alternatively be in the form of an alert that istriggered responsive to the GVI and/or PGS exceeding one or morepredetermined thresholds. The alert can be automatically sent to thehost, host's caretaker or health care provider over network 406, forexample.

Further, process 700 can be performed periodically or continuously inreal time. That is, as new sensor data is generated, process 700 canperiodically or continuously determine GVI based on the new sensor dataand the past data that falls within a defined period of time. Toillustrate, in one example, a new sensor data point is generated everyfive minutes. Process 700 may be performed wherein the defined period oftime spans from the most recent data point to a defined period in thepast, such as 5 hours. Process 700 can be repeated for each new datapoint that is received, or repeated every predetermined amount of time,such as one hour or one day.

Additionally, in some implementations, process 700 can includecalculating a GVI for a plurality of different time frames. For example,a GVI may be calculated based on the past hour, the past five hours,past 24 hours, past day and past month. A user can then compare the GVIfor each of the time frames to understand changes in his or her glycemiccontrol.

Clinical Relevance Scoring

A pattern algorithm can be applied to statistical data (e.g. measuredanalyte values) and scored according to clinical relevance, inaccordance with some embodiments. The score can then be outputted to ahost or caretaker to provide a useful indication of the user's controlof a health characteristic over a period of time. The following is anon-limiting example algorithm for scoring clinical relevance, where theanalyte is glucose.

A scoring map is provided that coverts glucose values to a clinicalrelevance score. That is, the scoring map can convert glucose values inone numerical scale/units (e.g., mg/dL) to another scale/units that isbased on a clinical relevance. The map can be defined algorithmically byone or more mathematical equations in some implementations. Further, insome implementations, the map projects the coordinate space of 40-400mg/dL into two separate coordinate spaces comprising above and below atarget range. The target range can be defined as an ideal glucose valuefor a user, such as between 110 mg/dL, although it is understood thatother values can be used or that instead of a value, as range is used,such as 80-120 mg/dL. The map converts one numerical scale/units toother scale/units (e.g. from mg/dL glucose to GVI score). In someimplementations, the numerical range of the clinical relevance scale isfrom 1.0 to 10.0 and represents the increasing clinical significanceaway from target, although it is understood that other scales can beused instead, such as 0.0 to 1.0 or 1 to 100.

The mapping can be non-linear in the space of glucose concentration insome implementations. For example, clinical symptoms can get somewhatexponentially worse the further a patient drifts from target. Further,the mapping can be different for above versus below target. For example,it is believed that a glucose level in humans of 50 mg/dL below a targetis very different (e.g. significantly clinically more severe) than 50mg/dL above a target range, where the target is 105 mg/dL, for example.

In some implementations, the score map in the clinical relevance scalecan be linear—in contrast to the glucose concentration scale. That is,the glucose values are mapped to the clinical relevance scale so thateach unit in the clinical relevance scale changes along the entire scaleat approximately the same rate as the increase in clinical significance.However, in alternative implementations, the map range can belogarithmic; for example, similar to the decibels and Richter scaleswhere every integer unit increase is ten times worse.

Every glucose value within a specified date range if any date range isprovided—can then be converted into units of clinical relevanceaccording to the clinical relevance scoring map.

Once converted, a statistical algorithm can be applied to the values inunits of clinical relevance to generate a composite clinical relevancescore. The algorithm can take one or more of the sum, mean, averagestandard deviation, etc., of the values. For example, in someimplementations, the composite score can be the mean score of all of thevalues within the specified date range.

The results of the mapped score can then be processed and outputted. Theoutput can include a numerical score, such as a composite high/low meanscore of all values within a specified time range, a combined mean scoreof all values within a specified time range, and/or one or more graphsover time of the composite and/or combined scores.

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of a combined score outputdisplayed on a user interface of device 14, 16, 18, 20 in accordancewith some implementations. Here, the score is on a scale of 1 to 10along the y-axis over time on the x-axis. A numerical score that is themean of the scores illustrated in the graph is displayed to the right ofthe graph.

FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of a composite score outputdisplayed on a user interface of device 14, 16, 18, 20 in accordancewith some implementations. Here, the graph provides clinical relevanceaway from target in both high and low directions. Further, separate highand low numerical scores representative of the mean of all high scoresand all low scores, respectively, are provided on to the right of thegraph.

In some implementations, scores can also be bucketed into five minuteepochs over a modal day for any number of days desired. From this sum oraverage for each epoch can be obtained and plotted over a day.

In some implementations, the map is designed so that scores range from 0to 10. A 0 score can indicate very good glycemic variability, and a 10score can indicate very poor glycemic variability.

In some implementations, the score is normalized to have equivalentclinical relevance for high and low blood glucose ranges. For example, ascore of 6.5 for a high only blood glucose reading has and equivalentclinical relevance of a score of 6.5 for a low only blood glucosereading. Likewise, a score for a composite/combined blood glucosereading has the same meaning as a score of 6.5 for both high low and lowonly blood glucose readings.

Retrospective Analysis of Real-Time Generated Analyte Data

In some implementations, system 100 can re-analyze real-time measuredanalyte data retrospectively to provide greater insight in managing ahealth condition, such as retrospectively analyzing glucose data tomanage diabetes.

A non-limiting example is a patient with type-2 diabetes going throughbasal insulin titration. In the morning, the patient may need to decidewhether to increase, decrease, or maintain insulin rates. The patent canuse system 100, which includes a continuous glucose monitor, such as theDexcom G4® Platinum continuous glucose monitoring system and initiates are-analysis of historical glucose information, such as the past days',weeks' or months' glucose information. The initiation can be performedby a user selecting a menu item displayed on a user interface of one ormore of display device 14, 16, 18 20, for example. The system 100reanalyzes the historical glucose information and changes any historicaltrend information to reflect greater accuracy from a retrospectiveanalysis of the data. The retrospectively analyzed data can be used bythe patient to adjust his or her basal insulin administration protocols.

Further, the retrospectively analyzed data can be further processed toidentify possible events and provide event markers on a glucose trendgraph for a user to visualize. For example, if the user's glucose dropsevery Tuesday at 10 am in a consistent pattern, a retrospective analysiscan prompt the user to ask whether he exercises during that time periodand store the user's answer to the prompt.

System 100 can also programically analyze data after a predeterminedamount of time, such as at the end of each day, and provide a message tothe user with information based on the data analysis. For instance, apush notification, or local notification, can be automatically displayedon the user interface of device 14, 16, 18, 20 at predetermined timeswith the percentage of glucose values that were within a specifiedglucose range that day. It is believed that doing so can providemotivation to the user to maintain his or her glucose levels within thespecified range.

Automatic Detection of Missed Insulin Administration

System 100 can also be used to detect missed insulin and provide atimely notification to the patient/user for the prevention ofhyperglycemia, in accordance with some implementations. It is believedthat high positive rates of change (3-8 mg/dL/min) occur infrequentlyand are almost always associated with missed insulin administration.When sustained high positive rates of change are detected (e.g., 3-8mg/dL/min over 10-15 minutes duration) with system 100, a specific alarmcan be provided on display 14, 16, 18, 20 alerting the user to thepossibility that they may have missed an insulin administration. Thiscould occur as a result of inattention or distraction, e.g. a “missedmeal bolus”. In insulin pump therapy, missed meal boluses often occurwhen the patient/user sets the bolus amount but forgets to apply thefinal confirmation necessary to initiate delivery of insulin. Similarly,patients administering insulin by injection can also forget to giveinsulin at mealtime to cover the carbohydrate content of a meal.However, missed insulin can also occur as a result of an insulin pumpfailure, e.g., an occlusion in the insulin tubing or cannula. Finally,missed insulin can occur as well in situations in which a patient/userassumes that he/she has been given a “diet” drink (e.g., cola, lemonadeetc.), but due to error, has been given a high carbohydrate contentbeverage instead. Under these circumstances, the patient/user wouldtypically not give insulin and then experience a rapid rise in glucosedue to the error.

Pattern Detection on Troublesome Meals

System 100 can be used to make event entry and download for reports moreuseful to the patient, physician, nurse, educator and dietician, inaccordance with some implementations.

Calculating bolus insulin for mealtime is often complicated to a user.One difficulty can be estimating the number of carbohydrates in a meal.If the estimation by the patient is inaccurate, the correspondinginsulin dose will be off which may result in hypo or hyperglycemia. Whenpatients retrospectively analyze his or her data, for example, it can bedifficult to now review a problem meal and draw any useful insightsgiven the data that is available with just carbohydrate logging. Forinstance, a patient may ask themselves “What was the meal?”, “Were thecarbs estimated correct?”, “Was the glycemic index different?”, “Did Itake my insulin too early or too late?”, “Did I inject the correctamount of insulin?”

Most people only eat 12-15 different meals. By having system 100 lookfor problems by specific meal (e.g. came asada burrito vs. 2 slices ofpizza) system 100 can programically highlight meals that have a patternof poor control and give an insight to the user that they may bemis-estimating the number of carbs in a given meal. This data becomesactionable. The following is an exemplary implementation that may beprogramically implemented using system 100.

Part 1: Meal events. Rather than having event entry input the number ifcarbs for each meal and have the user estimate carbs every meal, have alist of meals to choose from. Typical users only eat 12-20 differentmeals most of the time. The selection can start with breakfast1,breakfast2, lunch1, lunch2, etc. and allow the user to name the mealmore specifically on display device 20 and download that information toanother display device, such as display device 16, which would changethe meal. Each meal would have information relevant to the meal such ascarbohydrates, glycemic index, etc. stored under that meal. The userwhen logging a meal simply selects the meal they ate.

Part 2: Meal event setup. Meal setup can be done any of display device14, 16, 18, 20. If device 14, 16, 18, 20 has access to the Internet, thesetup problem can be connected to a food database that can allow theuser to select a common meal and download accurate information about themeal reducing the need for carb counting. The user can setup a list of10, 20 or more common meals they eat frequently which configures a menuon the receiver with the meal name.

Part 3: Pattern analysis. The analysis software in system 100 determinespoor control around specific meals and reports issues relating to themproviding insight to the user that they may be misestimating ormistiming meal insulin bolus by providing an alert to the user usinguser interface of device 14, 16, 18, 20.

Pattern Recognition of Glucose Trends Based on Location and Duration ofInsulin Pump Infusion Site Wear

Some implementations of system 100 programically provide information toa user about how sites and duration of wear of insulin infusion pumpsinfluence glucose control of the user. Here, system 100 can prompt auser about the location of an insulin infusion site upon priming theinsulin pump for use, for example. The system 100 can then track theduration of the use of the insulin pump. Upon a request from the user,the system 100 can programically analyze the user's glucose readingsusing a continuous glucose sensor worn by the patient over the timeperiod that the insulin pump was worn and provide output to the user asto the user's glucose control. The user can then use this information todetermine if certain locations and/or durations of wearing the insulinpump may provide different levels of glucose control in the user. Theinformation may also be transmitted to a medicament delivery device,such as a pump or pen for automated control of insulin from themedicament delivery device, based at least in part on the information.

Various implementations of the subject matter described herein may berealized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. Thecircuitry may be affixed to a printed circuit board (PCB), or the like,and may take a variety of forms, as noted. These various implementationsmay include implementation in one or more computer programs that areexecutable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including atleast one programmable processor, which may be special or generalpurpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device,and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers toany non-transitory computer program product, apparatus and/or device(e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices(PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor, including a machine-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter describedherein may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., aCRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) fordisplaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device(e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provide input tothe computer. Other kinds of devices may be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computingsystem that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), orthat includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), orthat includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having agraphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user mayinteract with an implementation of the subject matter described herein),or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-endcomponents. The components of the system may be interconnected by anyform or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communicationnetwork). Examples of communication networks include a local areanetwork (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and the Internet.

Although a few variations have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. For example, while the descriptions ofspecific implementations of the current subject matter discuss analyticapplications, the current subject matter is applicable to other types ofsoftware and data services access as well. Moreover, although the abovedescription refers to specific products, other products may be used aswell. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figuresand described herein do not require the particular order shown, orsequential order, to achieve desirable results. As used herein, the term“based on” also refers to “based on at least.” Other implementations maybe within the scope of the following claims.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and descriptionare to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Thedisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations tothe disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by thoseskilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study ofthe drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a personof ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special orcustomized meaning unless expressly so defined herein. It should benoted that the use of particular terminology when describing certainfeatures or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply thatthe terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to includeany specific characteristics of the features or aspects of thedisclosure with which that terminology is associated. Terms and phrasesused in this application, and variations thereof, especially in theappended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construedas open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, theterm ‘including’ should be read to mean ‘including, without limitation,’‘including but not limited to,’ or the like; the term ‘comprising’ asused herein is synonymous with ‘including,’ ‘containing,’ or‘characterized by,’ and is inclusive or open-ended and does not excludeadditional, unrecited elements or method steps; the term ‘having’ shouldbe interpreted as ‘having at least;’ the term ‘includes’ should beinterpreted as ‘includes but is not limited to;’ the term ‘example’ isused to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not anexhaustive or limiting list thereof; adjectives such as ‘known’,‘normal’, ‘standard’, and terms of similar meaning should not beconstrued as limiting the item described to a given time period or to anitem available as of a given time, but instead should be read toencompass known, normal, or standard technologies that may be availableor known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like‘preferably,’ preferred, ‘desired,’ or ‘desirable,’ and words of similarmeaning should not be understood as implying that certain features arecritical, essential, or even important to the structure or function ofthe invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternativeor additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particularembodiment of the invention. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction ‘and’ should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be readas ‘and/or’ unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction ‘or’ should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as‘and/or’ unless expressly stated otherwise.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that the upper andlower limit, and each intervening value between the upper and lowerlimit of the range is encompassed within the embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity. The indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude aplurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions ofseveral items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measuresare recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicatethat a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Anyreference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting thescope.

It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intentwill be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of suchrecitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term ‘about.’ Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein areapproximations that may vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limitthe application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of anyclaims in any application claiming priority to the present application,each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number ofsignificant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

Furthermore, although the foregoing has been described in some detail byway of illustrations and examples for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced. Therefore, the descriptionand examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention to the specific embodiments and examples described herein, butrather to also cover all modification and alternatives coming with thetrue scope and spirit of the invention.

Methods and devices that are suitable for use in conjunction withaspects of the preferred embodiments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,757,022; 4,994,167; 6,001,067; 6,558,321; 6,702,857; 6,741,877;6,862,465; 6,931,327; 7,074,307; 7,081,195; 7,108,778; 7,110,803;7,134,999; 7,136,689; 7,192,450; 7,226,978; 7,276,029; 7,310,544;7,364,592; 7,366,556; 7,379,765; 7,424,318; 7,460,898; 7,467,003;7,471,972; 7,494,465; 7,497,827; 7,519,408; 7,583,990; 7,591,801;7,599,726; 7,613,491; 7,615,007; 7,632,228; 7,637,868; 7,640,048;7,651,596; 7,654,956; 7,657,297; 7,711,402; 7,713,574; 7,715,893;7,761,130; 7,771,352; 7,774,145; 7,775,975; 7,778,680; 7,783,333;7,792,562; 7,797,028; 7,826,981; 7,828,728; 7,831,287; 7,835,777;7,857,760; 7,860,545; 7,875,293; 7,881,763; 7,885,697; 7,896,809;7,899,511; 7,901,354; 7,905,833; 7,914,450; 7,917,186; 7,920,906;7,925,321; 7,927,274; 7,933,639; 7,935,057; 7,946,984; 7,949,381;7,955,261; 7,959,569; 7,970,448; 7,974,672; 7,976,492; 7,979,104;7,986,986; 7,998,071; 8,000,901; 8,005,524; 8,005,525; 8,010,174;8,027,708; 8,050,731; 8,052,601; 8,053,018; 8,060,173; 8,060,174;8,064,977; 8,073,519; 8,073,520; 8,118,877; 8,128,562; 8,133,178;8,150,488; 8,155,723; 8,160,669; 8,160,671; 8,167,801; 8,170,803;8,195,265; 8,206,297; 8,216,139; 8,229,534; 8,229,535; 8,229,536;8,231,531; 8,233,958; 8,233,959; 8,249,684; 8,251,906; 8,255,030;8,255,032; 8,255,033; 8,257,259; 8,260,393; 8,265,725; 8,275,437;8,275,438; 8,277,713; 8,280,475; 8,282,549; 8,282,550; 8,285,354;8,287,453; 8,290,559; 8,290,560; 8,290,561; 8,290,562; 8,292,810;8,298,142; 8,311,749; 8,313,434; 8,321,149; 8,332,008; 8,346,338;8,364,229; 8,369,919; 8,374,667; 8,386,004; and 8,394,021.

Methods and devices that are suitable for use in conjunction withaspects of the preferred embodiments are disclosed in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2003-0032874-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2005-0033132-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005-0051427-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2005-0090607-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2005-0176136-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005-0245799-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0015020-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0016700-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0020188-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0020190-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0020191-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0020192-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0036140-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0036143-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0040402-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0068208-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0142651-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0155180-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0198864-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0200020-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0200022-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0200970-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0204536-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0224108-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0235285-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0249381-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0252027-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0253012-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0257995-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0258761-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2006-0263763-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2006-0270922-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0270923-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2007-0027370-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2007-0032706-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007-0032718-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2007-0045902-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2007-0059196-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007-0066873-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2007-0173709-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2007-0173710-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007-0208245-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2007-0208246-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2007-0232879-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0045824-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0083617-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0086044-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0108942-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0119703-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0119704-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0119706-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0183061-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0183399-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0188731-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0189051-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0194938-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0197024-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0200788-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0200789-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0200791-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0214915-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0228054-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0242961-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0262469-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0275313-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0287765-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0306368-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2008-0306434-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0306435-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2008-0306444-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0018424-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0030294-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0036758-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0036763-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0043181-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0043182-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0043525-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0045055-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0062633-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0062635-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0076360-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0099436-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0124877-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0124879-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0124964-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0131769-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0131777-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0137886-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0137887-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0143659-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0143660-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0156919-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0163790-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0178459-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0192366-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0192380-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0192722-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0192724-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0192751-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0203981-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0216103-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0240120-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0240193-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0242399-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0242425-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0247855-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0247856-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0287074-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2009-0299155-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2009-0299156-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009-0299162-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0010331-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0010332-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0016687-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0016698-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0030484-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0036215-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0036225-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0041971-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0045465-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0049024-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0076283-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0081908-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0081910-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0087724-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0096259-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0121169-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0161269-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0168540-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0168541-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0168542-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0168543-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0168544-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0168545-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0168546-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0168657-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0174157-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0174158-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0174163-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0174164-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0174165-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0174166-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0174167-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0179401-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0179402-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0179404-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0179408-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0179409-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0185065-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0185069-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0185070-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0185071-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0185075-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0191082-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0198035-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0198036-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0212583-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0217557-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0223013-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0223022-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0223023-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0228109-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0228497-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0240975-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0240976 C1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0261987-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0274107-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0280341-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0286496-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0298684-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010-0324403-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2010-0331656-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010-0331657-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0004085-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0009727-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0024043-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0024307-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0027127-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0027453-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0027458-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0028815-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0028816-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0046467-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0077490-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0118579-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0124992-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0125410-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0130970-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0130971-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0130998-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0144465-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0178378-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0190614-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0201910-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0201911-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0218414-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0231140-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0231141-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0231142-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0253533-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0263958-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0270062-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0270158-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0275919-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2011-0290645-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2011-0313543-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011-0320130-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0035445-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0040101-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0046534-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0078071-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0108934-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0130214-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0172691-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0179014-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0186581-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0190953-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0191063-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0203467-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0209098-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0215086-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0215087-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0215201-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0215461-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0215462-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0215496-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0220979-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0226121-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0228134-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0238852-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0245448-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0245855-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0255875-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0258748-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0259191-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0260323-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0262298-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0265035-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0265036-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0265037-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0277562-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0277566-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0283541-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0283543-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0296311-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0302854-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012-0302855-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2012-0323100-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013-0012798-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2013-0030273-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2013-0035575-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013-0035865-A1; U.S.Patent Publication No. 2013-0035871-A1; U.S. Patent Publication No.2005-0056552-A1; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005-0182451-A1.

Methods and devices that are suitable for use in conjunction withaspects of the preferred embodiments are disclosed in U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/447,227 filed on Nov. 22, 1999 and entitled “DEVICE ANDMETHOD FOR DETERMINING ANALYTE LEVELS”; U.S. application Ser. No.12/828,967 filed on Jul. 1, 2010 and entitled “HOUSING FOR ANINTRAVASCULAR SENSOR”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/461,625 filed on May1, 2012 and entitled “DUAL ELECTRODE SYSTEM FOR A CONTINUOUS ANALYTESENSOR”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/594,602 filed on Aug. 24, 2012 andentitled “POLYMER MEMBRANES FOR CONTINUOUS ANALYTE SENSORS”; U.S.application Ser. No. 13/594,734 filed on Aug. 24, 2012 and entitled“POLYMER MEMBRANES FOR CONTINUOUS ANALYTE SENSORS”; U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/607,162 filed on Sep. 7, 2012 and entitled “SYSTEM ANDMETHODS FOR PROCESSING ANALYTE SENSOR DATA FOR SENSOR CALIBRATION”; U.S.application Ser. No. 13/624,727 filed on Sep. 21, 2012 and entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING AND TRANSMITTING SENSOR DATA”; U.S.application Ser. No. 13/624,808 filed on Sep. 21, 2012 and entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING AND TRANSMITTING SENSOR DATA”; U.S.application Ser. No. 13/624,812 filed on Sep. 21, 2012 and entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING AND TRANSMITTING SENSOR DATA”; U.S.application Ser. No. 13/732,848 filed on Jan. 2, 2013 and entitled“ANALYTE SENSORS HAVING A SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO SUBSTANTIALLY UNAFFECTEDBY NON-CONSTANT NOISE”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/733,742 filed onJan. 3, 2013 and entitled “END OF LIFE DETECTION FOR ANALYTE SENSORS”;U.S. application Ser. No. 13/733,810 filed on Jan. 3, 2013 and entitled“OUTLIER DETECTION FOR ANALYTE SENSORS”; U.S. application Ser. No.13/742,178 filed on Jan. 15, 2013 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORPROCESSING SENSOR DATA”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/742,694 filed onJan. 16, 2013 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SENSITIVEAND SPECIFIC ALARMS”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/742,841 filed on Jan.16, 2013 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY ANDINTELLIGENTLY MONITORING A HOST'S GLYCEMIC CONDITION AFTER AN ALERT ISTRIGGERED”; and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/747,746 filed on Jan. 23,2013 and entitled “DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS TO COMPENSATE FOREFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON IMPLANTABLE SENSORS”.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present invention, and of the manner and process of making andusing it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use thisinvention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications andalternate constructions from that discussed above that are fullyequivalent. Consequently, this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention coversall modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spiritand scope of the invention as generally expressed by the followingclaims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subjectmatter of the invention. While the disclosure has been illustrated anddescribed in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, suchillustration and description are to be considered illustrative orexemplary and not restrictive.

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a personof ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special orcustomized meaning unless expressly so defined herein. It should benoted that the use of particular terminology when describing certainfeatures or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply thatthe terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to includeany specific characteristics of the features or aspects of thedisclosure with which that terminology is associated. Terms and phrasesused in this application, and variations thereof, especially in theappended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construedas open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, theterm ‘including’ should be read to mean ‘including, without limitation,’‘including but not limited to,’ or the like; the term ‘comprising’ asused herein is synonymous with ‘including,’ ‘containing,’ or‘characterized by,’ and is inclusive or open-ended and does not excludeadditional, unrecited elements or method steps; the term ‘having’ shouldbe interpreted as ‘having at least;’ the term ‘includes’ should beinterpreted as ‘includes but is not limited to;’ the term ‘example’ isused to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not anexhaustive or limiting list thereof; adjectives such as ‘known’,‘normal’, ‘standard’, and terms of similar meaning should not beconstrued as limiting the item described to a given time period or to anitem available as of a given time, but instead should be read toencompass known, normal, or standard technologies that may be availableor known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like‘preferably,’ preferred, ‘desired,’ or ‘desirable,’ and words of similarmeaning should not be understood as implying that certain features arecritical, essential, or even important to the structure or function ofthe invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternativeor additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particularembodiment of the invention. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction ‘and’ should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be readas ‘and/or’ unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction ‘or’ should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as‘and/or’ unless expressly stated otherwise.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that the upper andlower limit, and each intervening value between the upper and lowerlimit of the range is encompassed within the embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity. The indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ does not exclude aplurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions ofseveral items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measuresare recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicatethat a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Anyreference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting thescope.

It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intentwill be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of suchrecitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases ‘at least one’ and ‘one or more’ to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles ‘a’ or ‘an’ limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases‘one or more’ or ‘at least one’ and indefinite articles such as ‘a’ or‘an’ (e.g., ‘a’ and/or ‘an’ should typically be interpreted to mean ‘atleast one’ or ‘one or more’); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of ‘two recitations,’ without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to ‘at least one of A, B, and C, etc.’ is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., ‘a system having at least one ofA, B, and C’ would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to ‘at least one of A, B, or C, etc.’ is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., ‘a system having at leastone of A, B, or C’ would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase ‘A or B’ will be understood toinclude the possibilities of ‘A’ or ‘B’ or ‘A and B.’

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term ‘about.’ Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein areapproximations that may vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limitthe application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of anyclaims in any application claiming priority to the present application,each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number ofsignificant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

Furthermore, although the foregoing has been described in some detail byway of illustrations and examples for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced. Therefore, the descriptionand examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention to the specific embodiments and examples described herein, butrather to also cover all modification and alternatives coming with thetrue scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving input indicative of one or more insulin infusion sites on apatient; calculating one or more glucose control metrics for each of theone or more insulin infusion sites, the calculating based on continuousglucose sensor data indicative of a glucose concentration of thepatient, the continuous glucose sensor data generated by one or morecontinuous glucose sensors, wherein the glucose control metrics comprisea glycemic variability index (GVI) value representative of the patient'sglucose variability during a timeframe and a clinical relevance scorerepresentative of a clinical significance of the continuous glucosesensor data; automatically outputting information for display on a userinterface including the calculated GVI and clinical relevance score foreach of the one or more insulin infusion sites; and transmitting asignal for controlling insulin delivery to an insulin delivery deviceinserted into an optimal insulin infusion site of the one or moreinsulin infusion sites, wherein the optimal insulin infusion site isbased on the glucose control metrics.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising prompting the user, using the user interface, for informationindicative of one or more of a location of each of the one or moreinsulin infusion sites on a body of the patient and a duration of use ofeach of the one or more insulin infusion sites, wherein: the receivingthe input is in response to the prompting, and the input indicative ofthe one or more insulin infusion sites comprises one or more of thelocation of each of the one or more insulin infusion sites on the bodyof the patient and the duration of use of each of the one or moreinsulin infusion sites.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the GVI isdefined as being equal to L/L_(O), wherein L is a length of a linerepresentative of the host's glucose concentration over the timeframeand Lo is a defined line length for the timeframe.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more glucose control metrics furthercomprise a patient glycemic status (PGS), wherein the PGS is defined asbeing equal to GVI*MG*(1−PTIR)+Penalty, wherein MG is a mean glucosevalue associated with the glucose concentration of the host over thetimeframe, PTIR is a percentage of time the glucose concentration of thehost is within a defined range of glucose concentration values, and thePenalty is a non-linear hyperbolic function that asymptotes with apredetermined number of detected episodes of sever hypoglycemia withinan amount of time, and wherein the information further comprises thePGS.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically outputting theinformation is responsive to calculating the PGS.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein automatically outputting the information is responsive tocalculating the GVI.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtriggering an alert through the user interface when the GVI exceeds athreshold, and wherein the alert comprises one or more of an audiblealert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein automatically outputting the information is performedperiodically based on the timeframe.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereincalculating the clinical relevance score comprises: using a scoring mapfor converting the continuous glucose sensor data to the clinicalrelevance score, wherein a scale of the clinical relevance score islinear and a scale of the glucose sensor data is non-linear.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the outputted information comprises one ormore of a numerical value for the clinical relevance score and a graphof numerical values for clinical relevance scores over time displayed onthe user interface.
 11. A system comprising: at least one processor; andat least one memory including code which when executed by the at leastone processor causes the processor to perform a method, the methodcomprising: receiving input indicative of one or more insulin infusionsites on a patient; calculating one or more glucose control metrics foreach of the one or more insulin infusion sites, the calculating based oncontinuous glucose sensor data indicative of the glucose concentrationof the patient, the continuous glucose sensor data generated by one ormore continuous glucose sensors, wherein the glucose control metricscomprise a glycemic variability index (GVI) value representative of thepatient's glucose variability during a timeframe and a clinicalrelevance score representative of a clinical significance of thecontinuous glucose sensor data; automatically outputting information fordisplay on a user interface including the calculated GVI and theclinical relevance score for each of the one or more insulin infusionsites; and transmitting a signal for controlling insulin delivery to aninsulin delivery device inserted into an optimal insulin infusion siteof the one or more insulin infusion sites, wherein the optimal insulininfusion site is based on the glucose control metrics.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the method further comprises: prompting the user,using the user interface, for information indicative of one or more of alocation of each of the one or more insulin infusion sites on the bodyof the patient and a duration of use of each of the one or more insulininfusion sites, wherein: the receiving the input is in response to theprompting, and the input indicative of the one or more insulin infusionsites comprises one or more of the location of each of the one or moreinsulin infusion sites on the body of the patient and the duration ofuse of each of the one or more insulin infusion sites.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the GVI is defined as being equal to L/L_(O), whereinL is a length of a line representative of the host's glucoseconcentration over the timeframe and Lo is a defined line length for thetimeframe.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more glucosecontrol metrics further comprise a patient glycemic status (PGS),wherein the PGS is defined as being equal to GVI*MG*(1−PTIR)+Penalty,wherein MG is a mean glucose value associated with the glucoseconcentration of the host over the timeframe, PTIR is a percentage oftime the glucose concentration of the host is within a defined range ofglucose concentration values, and the Penalty is a non-linear hyperbolicfunction that asymptotes with a predetermined number of detectedepisodes of sever hypoglycemia within an amount of time, and wherein theinformation further comprises the PGS.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein automatically outputting the information is responsive tocalculating the PGS.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein automaticallyoutputting the information is responsive to calculating the GVI.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11, further comprising triggering an alert through theuser interface when the GVI exceeds a threshold, and wherein the alertcomprises one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactilealert.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein automatically outputting theinformation is performed periodically based on the timeframe.
 19. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein calculating the clinical relevance scorecomprises: using a scoring map for converting the continuous glucosesensor data to the clinical relevance score, wherein a scale of theclinical relevance score is linear and a scale of the glucose sensordata is non-linear.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the outputtedinformation comprises one or more of a numerical value for the clinicalrelevance score and a graph of numerical values for clinical relevancescores over time displayed on the user interface.